Down to Earth But Heavenly Minded

Although he never wished to be considered chief, or in a place of authority amongst the Brethren, yet they loved to give him such a place; and Sunday after Sunday, as I have said before, he preached in the evening, and usually took part in the morning meeting.

Perhaps the word preaching scarcely conveys the true description of his ministry. It was rather an unfolding of Holy Scripture in a way peculiar, to himself. His fervour would betray itself as he went along; and the heart and conscience of the hearer be touched as he spoke of the beauty and delight of the “Book of God” (as he loved to call the Bible). Never at a loss for a theme full of profit and interest, his own enjoyment seemed to increase as he spoke.

https://plymouthbrethren.org/series/6219

You will find this talked about at the end of this chapter.

About two years after my brother’s death another great trouble came into my dear father’s life, caused by the division which took place amongst the Brethren who had “hitherto been united in Christian love and service.

The controversy assumed a grave form. Decided judgments had to be formed and acted upon, and much sorrow followed in the separation (in many instances) of close and tried friends. My father’s judgment was not shared by the greater number of those amongst whom he had ministered for so many years in Dublin, and by whom he was greatly beloved. Many meetings for conference were held; and I well remember the pain and anxiety he suffered.

The controversy that arose about the writings of Mr. Benjamin Newton had already taken place; and this was consequent upon it.

https://plymouthbrethren.org/series/6219

It may seem strange that after so many years have elapsed since my dear father’s death, I should now print these notes of his life; and I feel that some explanation may naturally be expected.

From time to time I have been reminded that he is still held in loving remembrance by friends, and also, that many who never saw him feel almost as if they had known and loved him from being familiar with his writings, some of which, I believe, are even more read than formerly. Within the last year or two I have met with more than one whose acquaintance with him was very short; “but his loving spirit, and still more, his abiding sense of the presence of his Lord, and his exceeding love to Him,” made an impression which time has not effaced.

To such friends I have thought that this little book might be welcome. It does not profess to be a life of my father. The manuscript from which it is taken was written several years ago for my own comfort, and without any thought whatever of publication; and the recollections are quite fragmentary.

I am glad to be able to add extracts from some of his letters to myself, and also to different members of his family, which have been given to me, as well as some remembered words, so that my father will himself speak through these pages.

At the end will be found a short account written by him of my brother; and as I feel that it tells much about himself as well as of the son he so loved, I think that many friends may like to read it. But it was not written for publication.

To prepare these pages has been almost a sacred work. I am deeply conscious of their defects, and can but entrust them to the kindness and sympathy of those who may read them.

Poor as are my words about my dear father, I trust they may convey some idea of his character, and (to use the words of one of his nieces) “of his steadfast faith, his sweet humility, his child-like simplicity, and above all, the depth and breadth of his love, shewn to all who came under his notice, but which centred in the Lord Jesus Christ, and which shone out so pre-eminently the last few weeks of his life.”

If this little record should lead any one to love more fervently his dear Lord and Master, and to prize more highly His holy Word; or if it may be the means of strengthening any wavering faith, I shall indeed be thankful to Him to Whose blessing I commend it.

L. M. Bellett.

Clifton, Nov., 1894.

https://plymouthbrethren.org/series/6219

It may seem strange that after so many years have elapsed since my dear father’s death, I should now print these notes of his life; and I feel that some explanation may naturally be expected.

From time to time I have been reminded that he is still held in loving remembrance by friends, and also, that many who never saw him feel almost as if they had known and loved him from being familiar with his writings, some of which, I believe, are even more read than formerly. Within the last year or two I have met with more than one whose acquaintance with him was very short; “but his loving spirit, and still more, his abiding sense of the presence of his Lord, and his exceeding love to Him,” made an impression which time has not effaced.

To such friends I have thought that this little book might be welcome. It does not profess to be a life of my father. The manuscript from which it is taken was written several years ago for my own comfort, and without any thought whatever of publication; and the recollections are quite fragmentary.

I am glad to be able to add extracts from some of his letters to myself, and also to different members of his family, which have been given to me, as well as some remembered words, so that my father will himself speak through these pages.

At the end will be found a short account written by him of my brother; and as I feel that it tells much about himself as well as of the son he so loved, I think that many friends may like to read it. But it was not written for publication.

To prepare these pages has been almost a sacred work. I am deeply conscious of their defects, and can but entrust them to the kindness and sympathy of those who may read them.

Poor as are my words about my dear father, I trust they may convey some idea of his character, and (to use the words of one of his nieces) “of his steadfast faith, his sweet humility, his child-like simplicity, and above all, the depth and breadth of his love, shewn to all who came under his notice, but which centred in the Lord Jesus Christ, and which shone out so pre-eminently the last few weeks of his life.”

If this little record should lead any one to love more fervently his dear Lord and Master, and to prize more highly His holy Word; or if it may be the means of strengthening any wavering faith, I shall indeed be thankful to Him to Whose blessing I commend it.

L. M. Bellett.

Clifton, Nov., 1894.

https://plymouthbrethren.org/series/6219

For Hymn Lovers everywhere.

The Romance of Sacred Song

By David J Beattie

“Not only is inanimate nature full of music,” says an eminent writer, “but God has wonderfully organized the human voice so that in the plainest throat and lungs, there are fourteen direct muscles that can make over sixteen thousand different sounds. Now, thirty indirect muscles can make, it has been estimated, more than one hundred and seventy-three million sounds. Now, I say, when God has so constructed the human voice, and when He has filled the whole earth with harmony, and when He recognized it in the ancient temple, I have a right to come to the conclusion that God loves music.”

https://plymouthbrethren.org/series/6250

For Hymn Lovers everywhere.

The Romance of Sacred Song

By David J Beattie

“Not only is inanimate nature full of music,” says an eminent writer, “but God has wonderfully organized the human voice so that in the plainest throat and lungs, there are fourteen direct muscles that can make over sixteen thousand different sounds. Now, thirty indirect muscles can make, it has been estimated, more than one hundred and seventy-three million sounds. Now, I say, when God has so constructed the human voice, and when He has filled the whole earth with harmony, and when He recognized it in the ancient temple, I have a right to come to the conclusion that God loves music.”

https://plymouthbrethren.org/series/6250

For Hymn Lovers everywhere.

The Romance of Sacred Song

By David J Beattie

“Not only is inanimate nature full of music,” says an eminent writer, “but God has wonderfully organized the human voice so that in the plainest throat and lungs, there are fourteen direct muscles that can make over sixteen thousand different sounds. Now, thirty indirect muscles can make, it has been estimated, more than one hundred and seventy-three million sounds. Now, I say, when God has so constructed the human voice, and when He has filled the whole earth with harmony, and when He recognized it in the ancient temple, I have a right to come to the conclusion that God loves music.”

https://plymouthbrethren.org/series/6250

For Hymn Lovers everywhere.

The Romance of Sacred Song

By David J Beattie

“Not only is inanimate nature full of music,” says an eminent writer, “but God has wonderfully organized the human voice so that in the plainest throat and lungs, there are fourteen direct muscles that can make over sixteen thousand different sounds. Now, thirty indirect muscles can make, it has been estimated, more than one hundred and seventy-three million sounds. Now, I say, when God has so constructed the human voice, and when He has filled the whole earth with harmony, and when He recognized it in the ancient temple, I have a right to come to the conclusion that God loves music.”

https://plymouthbrethren.org/series/6250

For Hymn Lovers everywhere.

The Romance of Sacred Song

By David J Beattie

“Not only is inanimate nature full of music,” says an eminent writer, “but God has wonderfully organized the human voice so that in the plainest throat and lungs, there are fourteen direct muscles that can make over sixteen thousand different sounds. Now, thirty indirect muscles can make, it has been estimated, more than one hundred and seventy-three million sounds. Now, I say, when God has so constructed the human voice, and when He has filled the whole earth with harmony, and when He recognized it in the ancient temple, I have a right to come to the conclusion that God loves music.”

https://plymouthbrethren.org/series/6250

For Hymn Lovers everywhere.

The Romance of Sacred Song

By David J Beattie

“Not only is inanimate nature full of music,” says an eminent writer, “but God has wonderfully organized the human voice so that in the plainest throat and lungs, there are fourteen direct muscles that can make over sixteen thousand different sounds. Now, thirty indirect muscles can make, it has been estimated, more than one hundred and seventy-three million sounds. Now, I say, when God has so constructed the human voice, and when He has filled the whole earth with harmony, and when He recognized it in the ancient temple, I have a right to come to the conclusion that God loves music.”

https://plymouthbrethren.org/series/6250